Duffel Bag Structural Components

ABSTRACT

A duffel bag may utilize a structural component to allow the duffel bag to stand upright without the use of filling materials. Accordingly, a duffel bag having auxiliary structural support is provided. In particular, the duffel bag may have a panel comprising a side of the duffel bag. The duffel bag also may have a strap affixed to a portion of the panel. Additionally, the duffel bag has a semi-rigid component between the panel and the strap. Further, the semi-rigid component may be secured between to the panel and the strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an athletic bag, such as a duffel bag.More particularly, the present invention relates to a duffel bag withstructural components that are used to place the duffel bag in astand-up position without the use of filling materials.

SUMMARY

Stores that merchandise duffel bags generally display the duffel bags ina full state. For example, stores may display duffel bags filled withcrumpled paper. When the duffel bags are full, customers are able to seethe space capacity of the duffel bag. Customers are also able to clearlysee designs that are presented on panels of the duffel bags when theduffel bags are full. In addition to being wasteful, filling duffel bagsup with paper is also time consuming to store workers. Accordingly,providing stores with duffel bags that are able to stand up withoutbeing filled with paper or other materials benefits both the store andthe environment. Additionally, providing consumers with duffel bags thatare able to stand up helps to facilitate ease of packing and unpacking.Accordingly, a duffel bag is provided that has a semi-rigid structurewithin the duffel bag so as to allow the duffel bag to be placed in astand-up position without requiring the duffel bag to be filled withpaper or other materials. In particular, disclosure is provided of aduffel bag with semi-rigid components secured between panels and strapsof the duffel bag.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag with footedsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag withfooted semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag with footedsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag with footedsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag withu-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag withu-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag withu-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag withu-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of an example duffel bag withH-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an example duffel bag withH-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view of an example duffel bag withH-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a frontal view of an example duffel bag withH-shaped semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates another bottom view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a further bottom view of an example duffel bag withsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates an additional bottom view of an example duffel bagwith semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag with footedsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 illustrates another bottom view of an example duffel bag withfooted semi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention;and

FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view of an example duffel bag with u-shapedsemi-rigid components in accordance with the present invention.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view 100 of an example duffel bag 110with a semi-rigid structure is shown. Duffel bag 110 comprises a firstpanel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel, and bottom panel. Firstpanel and second panel are each adjacent second panel, third panel, andbottom panel. First panel is also opposite second panel. Similarly,third panel and fourth panel are each adjacent bottom panel. Third panelis also opposite fourth panel.

The semi-rigid structure of duffel bag 110 is composed of semi-rigidcomponents 130. Semi-rigid components 130 are found on a front and aback panel of duffel bag 110. For ease of illustration, however, asingular semi-rigid component 130 from a panel of duffel bag 110 isdiscussed herein. Accordingly, duffel bag 110 has a multi-layeredstructure having panel 120, semi-rigid component 130, and strap 140. Inparticular, semi-rigid component 130 is secured between panel 120 andstrap 140. Further, semi-rigid component 130 is secured to both panel120 and strap 140. By sandwiching semi-rigid component 130 between panel120 and strap 140, duffel bag 110 may be placed in a self-supportedupright position without the addition of auxiliary filling material toduffel bag 110. As such, when the duffel bag is in a self-supportedupright position, it is easier for stores to display items and forconsumers to pack the duffel bag with materials.

In alternative embodiments, semi-rigid component 130 may be placedadjacent to strap 140. Semi-rigid component 130 may also be partiallysandwiched between strap 140 and panel 120. Alternatively, strap 140 maybe sandwiched between semi-rigid component 130 and panel 120. In thesefurther embodiments, of a multi-layered structure, semi-rigid component130 may also be used to hold up duffel bag 110.

A semi-rigid component, such as semi-rigid component 130, may becomposed of plastic, EVA foam, a die-cut flat P.E. sheet, dense cloth,Texon board, etc., or a combination thereof. Two semi-rigid components130 may be aligned and secured to each front and back panel 120 ofduffel bag 110 such that duffel bag 110 may stand upright. Thesemi-rigid components 130 may be secured by adhering the components 130to a panel 120 of duffel bag 110, such as through the use of an adhesiveor stitching. The components 130 may also be secured by being placedbetween panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 100, either with orwithout the use of an adhering or stitching method. Semi-rigidcomponents 130 may also be secured to a plurality of panels 120 ofduffel bag 110.

As FIG. 1 illustrates a view 100 of the exemplary duffel bag 110 inexploded form, FIG. 2 illustrates a view 200 of the exemplary duffel bag110 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 2, two semi-rigid components 130are beneath and secured to straps 140. As discussed above, thesemi-rigid components 130 may be secured by adhering the components 130to a strap 140 of duffel bag 110, such as through the use of an adhesiveor stitching. The components 130 may also be secured by being placedbetween panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 100, either with orwithout the use of an adhering or stitching method. Additionally,semi-rigid components 130 are positioned in the middle of straps 140such that there is area intersecting panel 120 and strap 140 surroundingsemi-rigid components 130. Although not shown in FIG. 2, two furthersemi-rigid components 130 may be positioned on an opposite panel 120 ofduffel bag 110. In alternative embodiments, semi-rigid components 130may extend to the top of the intersection between panels 120 and straps140; to the bottom of the intersection between panels 120 and straps140; or a combination thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view 300 of an example duffel bag 110with a semi-rigid component 130 in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates the way in which semi-rigidcomponent 130 is situated between panel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag110. As seen in FIG. 3, semi-rigid component 130 is only on one side ofduffel bag 110. However, when placed between panel 120 and strap 140,semi-rigid component 130 is able to keep its side of duffel bag 110 inan upright position. The extent to which duffel bag 110 is able to stayin an upright position is dependent upon the height of semi-rigidcomponent 130 and the placement of semi-rigid component 130 betweenpanel 120 and strap 140 of duffel bag 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal view 400 of duffel bag 110 with semi-rigidcomponents 130 on front panel 120 and a back panel (not shown) inaccordance with the present invention.

In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates the frontal view 400 of duffel bag 110when it is in an upright position. Additionally, FIG. 4 illustrates afirst bottom edge 105 of semi-rigid component 130. First bottom edge 105may extend partially or fully down to a second bottom edge 107 of frontpanel 120.

While FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a duffel bag 110 with semi-rigid components130 that are entirely secured to a panel 120 of duffel bag 110, FIGS.5-8 illustrate a duffel bag 510 that has footed semi-rigid components530 that are each secured across two panels 520 and 525 of duffel bag510. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view 500 of anexample duffel bag 510 with footed semi-rigid components 530 is shown.Duffel bag 510 has a multi-layered structure having two panels 520 and525, footed semi-rigid components 530, and straps 540. In particular,footed semi-rigid components 530 are each between panels 520 and 525 andstraps 540. Further, footed semi-rigid components 530 are secured toboth panels 520 and 525 and straps 540. Additionally, a further set offooted semi-rigid components (not shown) are attached to a panelopposite panel 520. By sandwiching footed semi-rigid components 530between panels 520 and 525 and strap 540, duffel bag 510 may be placedin an upright position without the addition of auxiliary fillingmaterial to duffel bag 510. Additionally, footed semi-rigid components,such as footed semi-rigid components 530, may be composed of a die-cutflap polyethylene (P.E.) sheet, plastic, EVA foam, dense cloth, Texonboard etc., or a combination thereof. Accordingly, two footed semi-rigidcomponents 530 may be aligned and adhered across two panels 520 and 525of duffel bag 510 such that duffel bag 510 may stand upright.

As FIG. 5 illustrates a view 500 of the exemplary duffel bag 510 inexploded form, FIG. 6 illustrates a view 600 of the exemplary duffel bag510 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 6, footed semi-rigid components530 are beneath and secured to straps 540. Additionally, footedsemi-rigid components 530 are positioned such that there is areaintersecting panel 520 and strap 540 surrounding footed semi-rigidcomponents 530. In particular, a portion of each footed semi-rigidcomponent 530 comprises intersecting area of first panel 520 and strap540. The remaining portion of the boundary of footed semi-rigidcomponent 530 comprises intersecting area of second panel 525 and strap540. In alternative embodiments, footed semi-rigid components 530 mayextend to the top of the intersecting area comprising first panel 520and strap 540.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view 700 of an example duffel bag 510with footed semi-rigid component 530 in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 7 illustrates the way in which footedsemi-rigid component 530 is situated between panels 520 and 525 andstraps 540 of duffel bag 510. As seen in FIG. 7, footed semi-rigidcomponent 530 is shown on a first side of duffel bag 510. As such, whenplaced between panels 520 and 525 and strap 540, footed semi-rigidcomponent 530 is able to keep the first side of duffel bag 510 in anupright position. Additionally, a second set of footed semi-rigidcomponents (not shown) are attached to a second panel on a second sideof duffel bag 510 that is opposite the first side. As such, when placedbetween panels and straps on the second side of duffel bag 510, thesecond set of footed semi-rigid components is able to keep the secondside of duffel bag 510 in an upright position. Accordingly, through theuse of footed semi-rigid component 530 and the second set of footedsemi-rigid components (not shown) on the second side, duffel bag 510 isable to be placed in upright position without the use of fillingmaterials. The extent to which duffel bag 510 is able to stay in anupright position is dependent upon the height of footed semi-rigidcomponent 530, the length of the foot of footed semi-rigid component530, and the placement of footed semi-rigid component 530 against panels520 and 525 of duffel bag 510.

FIG. 8 illustrates a frontal view 800 of duffel bag 510 with footedsemi-rigid components 530 on front panel 520 and further footedsemi-rigid components (not shown) on a back panel (not shown) of duffelbag 510 in accordance with the present invention. In particular, FIG. 8illustrates frontal view 800 of duffel bag 510 when it is in an uprightposition.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate a duffel bag 910 that has u-shaped semi-rigidcomponents 930 that are each secured across three panels 920, 925, and927 of duffel bag 910. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 9, an explodedview 900 of an example duffel bag 910 with u-shaped semi-rigidcomponents 930 is shown. Duffel bag 910 has a multi-layered structurehaving three panels 920, 925, and 927, u-shaped semi-rigid components930, and straps 940. In particular, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930are each between panels 920, 925, and 927, and strap 940. Further,u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are secured to both panels 920, 982,and 927, and straps 940. By sandwiching u-shaped semi-rigid components930 between panels 920 925, and 927, and straps 940, duffel bag 910 maybe placed in an upright position without the addition of auxiliaryfilling material to duffel bag 910. A u-shaped semi-rigid component,such as u-shaped semi-rigid component 930, may be composed of plastic,EVA foam, a die-cut flat P.E. sheet, dense cloth, Texon board, etc., ora combination thereof. Accordingly, two u-shaped semi-rigid components930 may be aligned and adhered across three panels 920, 925, and 927 ofduffel bag 910 such that duffel bag 910 may stand upright.

As FIG. 9 illustrates a view 900 of the exemplary duffel bag 910 inexploded form, FIG. 10 illustrates a view 1000 of the exemplary duffelbag 910 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 10, u-shaped semi-rigidcomponents 930 are beneath and secured to straps 940. Additionally,u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 are positioned such that there isarea intersecting panels 920, 925, and 927, and straps 940 surroundingu-shaped semi-rigid components 930. In particular, a portion of eachu-shaped semi-rigid component 930 comprises intersecting area of firstpanel 920 and strap 940. A further portion of each u-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 930 comprises intersecting area of second panel 925 and strap940. The remaining portion of the boundary of u-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 930 comprises intersecting area of third panel 927 and strap940. In alternative embodiments, u-shaped semi-rigid components 930 mayextend to the top of the intersecting area comprising panel 920 andstrap 940, comprising the top of the intersecting area comprising panel927 and strap 940, or a combination of both.

FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view 1100 of an example duffel bag 910with a u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates the way in which theu-shaped semi-rigid component 930 is situated between panels 920, 925,and 927, and strap 940 of duffel bag 910. As seen in FIG. 11, u-shapedsemi-rigid component 930 is secured across three sides of duffel bag910. Accordingly, when placed between panels 920, 925, and 927, andstrap 940, u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 is able to keep the sidesof duffel bag 910 in an upright position. The extent to which duffel bag910 is able to stay in an upright position is dependent upon the heightof u-shaped semi-rigid component 930 and the placement of u-shapedsemi-rigid component 930 against panels 920, 925, and 927 of duffel bag910.

FIG. 12 illustrates a frontal view 1200 of duffel bag 910 with u-shapedsemi-rigid components 930 in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 12 illustrates frontal view 1200 of duffel bag 910 whenit is in an upright position.

FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a duffel bag 1310 that has an H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330 that is on first panel 1320 of duffel bag 1310 and afurther H-shaped semi-rigid component (not shown) that is on a secondpanel (not shown) of duffel bag 1310 that is opposite first panel 1320.Accordingly, referring to FIG. 13, an exploded view 1300 of an exampleduffel bag 1310 with H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is shown. Duffelbag 1310 has a multi-layered structure having two panels 1320, H-shapedsemi-rigid component 1330, and strap 1340. In particular, H-shapedsemi-rigid component 1330 is in between panel 1320 and straps 1340.Further, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is secured to both panel1320 and straps 1340. By sandwiching H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330between panel 1320 and straps 1340, the first side of duffel bag 1310may be placed in an upright position. Additionally, when a secondH-shaped component is secured to the second side of duffel bag 1310, thesecond side of duffel bag 510 may be placed in an upright position.Accordingly, when both H-shaped components 1330 are secured to panels1320 of duffel bag 1310, duffel bag 1310 may be placed in an uprightposition without the addition of auxiliary filling material to duffelbag 1310. An H-shaped semi-rigid component, such as H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330, may be composed of plastic, EVA foam, a die-cut flatP.E. sheet, dense cloth, Texon board, etc., or a combination thereof.

As FIG. 13 illustrates a view 1300 of the exemplary duffel bag 1310 inexploded form, FIG. 14 illustrates a view 1400 of the exemplary duffelbag 1310 in composed form. As seen in FIG. 14, H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330 is beneath and secured to straps 1340. Additionally,H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is positioned such that there is areaintersecting panel 1320 and straps 1340 surrounding H-shaped semi-rigidcomponents 1330. In particular, the boundary of H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330 comprises intersecting area of a panel 1320 and straps1340. In alternative embodiments, H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 mayextend to the top of the intersecting area comprising panel 1320 andstraps 1340, may extend to the bottom of the intersecting areacomprising panel 1320 and straps 1340, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 15 illustrates a sectional view 1500 of an example duffel bag 1310with an H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, FIG. 15 illustrates the way in whichH-shaped semi-rigid component 1330 is situated between panel 1320 andstrap 1340 of duffel bag 1310. As seen in FIG. 15, H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330 is only on a first side of duffel bag 1310. However, whenplaced between panel 1320 and straps 1340, H-shaped semi-rigid component1330 is able to keep the first side of duffel bag 1310 in an uprightposition. The extent to which duffel bag 1310 is able to stay in anupright position is dependent upon the height of H-shaped semi-rigidcomponent 1330 and the placement of H-shaped semi-rigid component 1330against panel 1320 of duffel bag 1310.

FIG. 16 illustrates a frontal view 1600 of duffel bag 1310 with H-shapedsemi-rigid component 1330 on the first side 1320 of duffel bag 1310 anda second H-shaped semi-rigid component (not shown) on a second side (notshown) of duffel bag 1310 that is opposite first side 1310 in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, FIG. 16 illustrates frontalview 1600 of duffel bag 1310 when it is in an upright position.

While FIGS. 1-16 illustrate front and perspective views of exampleduffel bags of the present invention, FIGS. 17-23 illustrate bottomviews of example duffel bags of the present invention. In particular,FIGS. 17-20 illustrate bottom views of example duffel bags havingsemi-rigid components as described in FIGS. 1-4 and 13-16; FIGS. 21 and22 illustrate bottom views of example duffel bags having footedsemi-rigid components as described in FIGS. 5-8; and FIG. 23 illustratesa bottom view of an example duffel bag having u-shaped semi-rigidcomponents as described in FIGS. 9-12.

As such, FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view 1700 of an example duffel bag1710 with semi-rigid components (not shown) in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, duffel bag 1710 has semi-rigidcomponents that do not extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1710. Assuch, the semi-rigid components are not viewable from bottom view 1700.Accordingly, bottom view 1700 of duffel bag 1710 comprises bottom panel1720 and straps 1740 extending across bottom panel 1720 of duffel bag1710. Bottom panel 1720 may be semi-rigid. In contrast to FIG. 17, FIG.18 illustrates another bottom view 1800 of an example duffel bag 1810with semi-rigid components 1830 that extend to the bottom of duffel bag1810 in accordance with the present invention. As with FIG. 17, bottomview 1800 of FIG. 18 comprises bottom panel 1820 and straps 1840extending across bottom panel 1820 of duffel bag 1810. However, bottomview 1800 also comprises a view of semi-rigid components 1830 as theyextend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1810.

FIG. 19 illustrates a further bottom view 1900 of an example duffel bag1910 with semi-rigid components (not shown) in accordance with thepresent invention. In particular, duffel bag 1910 has semi-rigidcomponents that do not extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 1910. Assuch, the semi-rigid components are not viewable from bottom view 1900.Accordingly, bottom view 1900 of duffel bag 1910 comprises bottom panel1920 and straps 1940 extending down to, but not across, bottom panel1920 of duffel bag 1910. As with FIG. 19, the additional bottom view2000 of FIG. 20 comprises bottom panel 2020 and straps 2040 extendingdown to, but not across, bottom panel 2020 of duffel bag 2010. However,bottom view 2000 also comprises a view of semi-rigid components 2030 asthey extend down to the bottom of duffel bag 2010.

FIG. 21 illustrates a bottom view 2100 of an example duffel bag 2110with footed semi-rigid components 2130 in accordance with the presentinvention. As seen in bottom view 2110, straps 2140 extend across bottompanel 2120. Additionally, footed semi-rigid components 2130 may extendalong the x-axis illustrated in bottom view 2100. Additionally, FIG. 22illustrates another bottom view 2200 of an example duffel bag 2210 withfooted semi-rigid components 2230 in accordance with the presentinvention. As seen in bottom view 2210, footed semi-rigid components2230 and straps 2240 extends across bottom panel 2220. In particular,footed semi-rigid components 2230 and straps 2240 may extend along they-axis illustrated in bottom view 2200.

FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom view 2300 of an example duffel bag 2310with u-shaped semi-rigid components 2330 in accordance with the presentinvention. As seen in bottom view 2310, u-shaped semi-rigid components2330 and straps 2340 extend across bottom panel 2320. In particular,u-shaped semi-rigid components 2330 and straps 2340 extend completelyacross bottom panel 2320 illustrated in bottom view 2300.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from theinvention, and all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A duffel bag having auxiliary structural support,the duffel bag comprising: a first panel comprising a first side of theduffel bag; a first strap affixed to the first panel; a first semi-rigidcomponent between the first panel and the first strap, wherein the firstsemi-rigid component is secured between the first panel and the firststrap; a second panel comprising a second side of the duffel bag that isopposite the first side of the duffel bag; a second strap affixed to thesecond panel; a second semi-rigid component in between the second paneland the second strap, wherein the second semi-rigid component is securedbetween the second panel and the second strap; a third panel adjacent tothe first panel and the second panel; a fourth panel adjacent to thefirst panel and the second panel, wherein the fourth panel is oppositethe third panel; and a bottom panel adjacent to the first panel, secondpanel, third panel, and fourth panel.
 2. The duffel bag of claim 1,wherein the first semi-rigid component is bordered by an intersectingarea comprising the first panel affixed to the first strap.
 3. Theduffel bag of claim 1, wherein the first semi-rigid component extends tothe bottom of the first panel.
 4. The duffel bag of claim 1, wherein thefirst semi-rigid component extends to the top of the first panel.
 5. Theduffel bag of claim 1, wherein the first strap extends to the bottom ofthe first panel.
 6. The duffel bag of claim 1, wherein the first strapextends beyond the bottom of the first panel.
 7. The duffel bag of claim1, wherein the first strap extends fully across the bottom panel.
 8. Theduffel bag of claim 1, wherein the first strap extends partially acrossthe bottom panel.
 9. The duffel bag of claim 1, wherein the first strapcomprises the second strap.
 10. A duffel bag having auxiliary structuralsupport, the duffel bag comprising: a first panel comprising a firstside of the duffel bag; a bottom panel adjacent to the first panel; afirst set of two straps affixed to the first panel and a portion of thebottom panel; a first set of two semi-rigid components, a first portionof the first set of two semi-rigid components secured between the firstpanel and the first set of two straps and a second portion of the firstset of two semi-rigid components secured between the bottom panel andthe first set of two straps; a second panel comprising a second side ofthe duffel bag, wherein the second panel is adjacent to the bottom paneland opposite the first panel; a second set of straps covering a portionof the second panel and a portion of the bottom panel; a second set oftwo semi-rigid components, a first portion of the second set of twosemi-rigid components secured between the second panel and the secondset of two straps and a second portion of the second set of twosemi-rigid components secured between the bottom panel and the secondset of two straps; a third panel adjacent to the first panel, the secondpanel, and the bottom panel; and a fourth panel adjacent to the firstpanel, the second panel, and the bottom panel, wherein the fourth panelis opposite the third panel.
 11. The duffel bag of claim 10, wherein thefirst set of straps extend partially across the bottom panel.
 12. Theduffel bag of claim 10, wherein the first set of straps extendcompletely across the bottom panel.
 13. The duffel bag of claim 10,wherein the first set of semi-rigid components extend to the top of thefirst panel.
 14. The duffel bag of claim 10, wherein the first set ofsemi-rigid components extend beyond the bottom of the first panel. 15.The duffel bag of claim 10, wherein the first set of straps and thesecond set of straps do not overlap.
 16. The duffel bag of claim 10,wherein the first set of straps comprises the second set of straps. 17.A duffel bag having auxiliary structural support, the duffel bagcomprising: a first panel comprising a first side of the duffel bag; abottom panel adjacent to the first panel; a second panel comprising asecond side of the duffel bag, wherein the second panel is adjacent tothe bottom panel and opposite the first panel; a set of two strapsaffixed to the first panel, portion of the bottom panel, and a portionof the second panel; a set of two semi-rigid components, a first portionof the set of two semi-rigid components secured between the first paneland the set of two straps, a second portion of the set of two semi-rigidcomponents secured between the bottom panel and the set of two straps,and a third portion of the set of two semi-rigid components securedbetween the second panel and the set of two straps; a third paneladjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and the bottom panel; anda fourth panel adjacent to the first panel, the second panel, and thebottom panel, wherein the fourth panel is opposite the third panel. 18.The duffel bag of claim 17, wherein the set of two semi-rigid componentsextends to the top of the first panel.
 19. The duffel bag of claim 17,wherein the set of two semi-rigid components extends to the top of thesecond panel.
 20. The duffel bag of claim 17, wherein a first semi-rigidcomponent of the set of two semi-rigid components does not overlap asecond semi-rigid component of the set of two semi-rigid components.